A Helping Hand

• NCJ Number: 211862
• Journal: Techbeat Dated: Fall 2001
• Date Published: 2001
• Length: 1 page
• Grant Number(s): 1996-MU-MU-K012
• Agencies: NIJ-Sponsored
• Publication Type: Grants and Funding

Annotation

This article describes potential funding sources available to State and local crime labs to improve crime laboratory services.

Abstract

Historically, public crime laboratories have been hampered by low funding, understaffing, and high personnel turnover, thereby creating inconsistent standards, inexperienced personnel, and enormous backlogs. It is critical that public crime labs receive Federal funding support to improve their services. This article describes funding sources in the form of grants to State and local agencies that may be used for personnel, training, equipment, technical assistance, research, development, and implementation. Funding support is presented in two categories: Formula grants and Discretionary grants. Formula grants are awarded to State and local governments based on a predetermined formula. Discretionary grants are awarded on a competitive basis to public and private agencies and private nonprofit organizations.